Procurement of Microsoft Custom Support Agreement

This paper seeks approval for the purchase of further Custom Support Agreement from Microsoft for Windows 2003 and SQL Server 2005 for one year at a cost of £1,680,000.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is asked to:

1. Approve the renewal of Custom Support Agreement (CSA) from Microsoft in relation to Windows 2003 and SQL Server 2005 for a 12 month period from April 28^th 2017 to April 27^th 2018 at a cost of £1,680,000.
2. Delegate authority to the Commercial Director (Procurement) to award the contract renewal directly to Microsoft.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. Windows 2003 and SQL Server 2005 products that are used in MPS operational services. The MPS has retained these older products to ensure compatibility with its legacy business application estate. For products that are out of support, it is Microsoft’s usual practice to offer customers a CSA.

1.2. To support the MPS to move away from legacy technologies, Microsoft is allowing 75% of the cost of the CSA to be reinvestment in consultancy and project work. The reinvestment will be based around the Windows 2003 and SQL Server 2005 technologies, however Microsoft has confirmed the reinvestment will not be limited to these areas and could include related areas such as the possible migration to cloud services.

1.3. The extension of these CSA by a further 12 months aligns with the ongoing transformation projects that will support the One Met Model and the Police and Crime Plan.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The renewal of the CSA is necessary to ensure any system failures are addressed and to minimise the risk of data loss and service outage.

2.2. See the Part 2 for details.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The funding of £1,680,000 is provided for in the MPS’s revenue budget.

3.2. Further details are discussed in the Part 2.

4. Legal Comments

4.1 The procurement route will be direct with Microsoft, as it is the only available route. Section 32 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations allow for a direct route when there is an absence of competition for technical reasons or when Intellectual Property Rights are involved. The services required are only provided by Microsoft.

5. Equality Comments

5.1. There are no direct equality or diversity implications arising from this report

6. Background/supporting papers

6.1. Report.